Antimicrobial Dressings

Antimicrobial wound dressings are available in many forms like sponges, silver dressings, foam dressing, hydrogel dressing, island dressings, non-adherent dressings, adherent dressings etc. These dressings are meant to cover the wound and alter the wound bed bioburden through their antimicrobial activity. The ability of antimicrobial dressings to handle exudate depends largely on the characteristics and composition of the dressing. In cases of infection in partial- and full-thickness wounds, tracheostomies, over percutaneous line sites and surgical incisions, etc. antimicrobial dressings are recommended.

When to use Antimicrobial Dressings?

Antimicrobial dressings can be used as a primary or secondary dressing for the treatment of draining, exuding, infected and non-healing wounds where a bacterial contamination present, including:

Pressure ulcers

Diabetic ulcers

Partial thickness burn/second degree burn

Surgical/post-operative wounds

Donor sites

Superficial burn/first degree burn

Venous ulcers/foot/leg ulcers

Laceration/abrasions

Acute/traumatic wounds

Full thickness burn/third-degree burn/graft wound

Moderate-to-high exuding wounds

Partial/full thickness wounds

Arterial ulcers

IV or Pin Site

How do Antimicrobial Dressings work?

Antimicrobial dressings lowers the potential toxicity to host cells by giving out a continuous and uniform release of antimicrobial agents to the wound bed and lowering the concentration of microbial agents. These dressings use antimicrobial agents like silver, iodine or polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) that are known to reduce microbial activities. Antimicrobial dressings can be left in place for several days depending upon the wound drainage and amount of dead cells present.

Choosing the right Antimicrobial Wound dressing

The selection of the appropriate dressing depends greatly upon the type of wound and the requirement of the patient. Silver antimicrobial dressings provide a topical antimicrobial surface that reduces the bacteria and fungi counts on the wound surface as in the case of Argentum Silverlon Antimicrobial Wound Contact Dressing. The Derma Algicell Ag dressing provides an effective barrier to pathogens with its seven-day effect. Another variation in antimicrobial dressings are those with nanocrystalline silver that conform to the body contours for eg. The Acticoat Flex 3 Antimicrobial Dressing form Smith & Nephew that comes with a low adherent polyester layer which helps minimize wound trauma at dressing changes. In some cases powder dressings may work better than other dressings. When a wound which produces high exudates needs to be dressed alginate powder dressings are preferred by medical professionals. The powder turns into a gel as it come in contact with the wound by absorbing the fluid from the wound. Powder dressing is ideal for deep, tunneling, highly exuding hard to dress wounds. Try the Medline Arglaes Antimicrobial Powder Dressing for high exudate wounds.

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